How to Wash a Dog Bed (Machine and Hand Wash)

Step 1: get the hair off first

Dog hair clumps when it gets wet and can clog your washing machine's drain and filter. Before washing, vacuum the whole bed, including seams, corners and the underside, then go over it with a lint roller, a strip of packing tape or a damp rubber glove to lift the hair that is left. Shake small beds outside first.

Check the care label at the same time. It tells you whether the cover comes off, whether the inner cushion or foam can be washed, and the maximum water temperature. If there is no label, treat the inner filling gently and wash only the cover in the machine. Beds with a zip-off cover, such as a removable and washable pet bed or a four-sided washable dog bed, make this step easier, and more of them are in our washable dog beds.

Step 2: machine wash the cover or bed

If the bed fits in your machine and the label allows it, wash it on the hottest program it can handle, which helps kill bacteria, mites and flea eggs. Use a fragrance-free detergent made for sensitive skin or labeled pet-safe, because strong scents can irritate a dog's skin and nose. Skip fabric softener, which leaves a residue.

Putting the cover in a large laundry bag keeps loose hair contained. For a very smelly bed, the AKC suggests adding a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. After the wash, run an empty cycle and wipe the door seal and filter to clear any hair that got through.

Step 3: hand wash bulky or foam beds

Large beds, beds with sewn-in filling and memory foam inserts usually cannot go in a home machine. Fill a bathtub with warm water and a little pet-safe detergent, submerge the bed or foam, and press it repeatedly to work the soapy water through. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then drain and rinse with clean water until no suds remain.

Press, do not wring, foam inserts, because twisting can tear them. Roll them in a large towel to squeeze out as much water as you can. Avoid washing pet beds in your kitchen sink, where germs can spread to food preparation areas, and clean the tub afterward.

Step 4: dry it completely

Air drying is safest for most dog beds, because some fillings clump or melt in a hot dryer. Dry outdoors in the sun if you can, turning the bed over so both sides dry. Covers and thin beds can often go in the dryer on low heat; add a couple of dryer balls to keep filling from clumping.

Make sure the bed is fully dry all the way through before your dog sleeps on it again. A damp core encourages mold and mildew, which smell and can irritate skin. Thick foam can take a day or more to dry, so a spare bed from our washable dog beds or a blanket for the meantime helps; our guide to washable dog beds explains what to look for.

How often to wash a dog bed

The AKC cites a weekly wash as a good routine to reduce parasites and germs, while flea-control guidance suggests a deep clean every two to three weeks at minimum. Wash more often if your dog sheds heavily, spends a lot of time outdoors, has skin allergies, has had an accident on the bed, or if anyone in the house has allergies.

Between washes, shake or vacuum the bed every few days and wash any blanket your dog sleeps on. During a flea problem, wash every bed and blanket on hot, repeat until the infestation is gone, and ask your vet about flea control for every pet in the house.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.